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Ronaldo's Brace Powers Portugal to 5-0 Win Over Uzbekistan, Silencing Critics
๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea /Sports

Ronaldo's Brace Powers Portugal to 5-0 Win Over Uzbekistan, Silencing Critics

From Chosun Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals in the first half as Portugal secured a dominant 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in their second group stage match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
  • The win helped Portugal overcome the frustration of their previous 1-1 draw against DR Congo.
  • This performance silenced critics, including Paul Scholes, who had previously questioned Ronaldo's impact on the Portuguese team.

Cristiano Ronaldo silenced his critics by scoring twice in the first half, leading Portugal to a resounding 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in their second group stage match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The decisive win, held at Houston Stadium, helped Portugal shake off the disappointment of their opening 1-1 draw against DR Congo and demonstrated a strong return to form. Ronaldo, at 41 years old, proved his enduring capability on the field, netting a brace that set the tone for Portugal's commanding performance. The team's cohesive effort and offensive power were evident throughout the match, culminating in a comprehensive win that bolstered their position in the tournament. This performance directly countered recent negative assessments, such as those made by former player Paul Scholes, who had expressed doubts about Ronaldo's contribution to the national team. Ronaldo's multi-goal effort underscores his continued significance and impact in international football, dispelling notions that his presence might hinder the team's progress.

Ronaldo is ruining Portugal

โ€” Paul ScholesThe article references a past criticism from Paul Scholes regarding Ronaldo's impact on the Portuguese team.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Chosun Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.